Celtic Face Fresh Civil War as Dermot Desmond Protest Sparks Furious Club Response

Former Celtic favourite Joe Ledley believes the club’s summer arrivals could still be feeling the effects of Celtic’s damaging double defeat to Rangers.

The Welshman knows better than most how difficult it can be for new players to adjust to life at Parkhead, with the expectations and pressure unlike anything they may have experienced elsewhere.

Ledley spent four years in Glasgow and quickly learned that simply performing well is not enough at Celtic. The demand for victories is constant, while the pressure intensifies significantly whenever Rangers are involved.

With Celtic preparing to return to action against Motherwell following the international break, Ledley has urged the new arrivals to use the difficult spell as a learning experience rather than allowing it to affect their confidence.

“It’s always tough when you first arrive at Celtic. It is a shock to the system – 100 percent,” Ledley said.

“The winning mentality you need to have is unlike what you will experience at most other clubs. When I first arrived, it took me a few months to deal with that and understand what was expected of me.

“It can be difficult to hit the ground running at a club of that size. But what a feeling it is to play for Celtic under that pressure. You need to embrace and buy into what is expected of you.

“The reason you become a professional is to play at the highest level in games that mean so much to so many people. Celtic is the type of club you strive to play for and I am sure the new boys will embrace it – and learn to enjoy it as well.”

Celtic must recover from nightmare spell

The timing of Celtic’s international break offered Martin O’Neill’s squad an opportunity to regroup after a miserable run of results.

Celtic’s Champions League campaign ended painfully against LASK before the side suffered a heavy defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup.

A Europa League loss to Ferencvaros followed before Rangers returned to Celtic Park and secured another victory over their rivals.

The sequence of defeats has created an uncomfortable atmosphere around the club, with some of the frustrations that surfaced last season beginning to return.

The tension was further heightened when supporters targeted majority shareholder Dermot Desmond during his appearance at the Dunhill Links Championship, throwing tennis balls in his direction.

Celtic subsequently issued a strongly worded statement condemning the incident, adding another layer to the growing unrest around the club.

Ledley believes the footballing issues should remain the priority, with the new players needing time to adapt to the demands of playing for Celtic.

“You sometimes need a period to understand the club, what it means to so many people and the pressure and expectation,” he added.

“On top of that, many of them will probably be getting used to a different style of play. They all have to be given a lot more time to really settle.

“There has to be an element of patience with all new players. Camilo Duran started really well and hopefully he continues that after the break, because he looks like a top player.

“I am sure that other new signings will also begin to improve too. I am convinced results will pick up again and I also expect Celtic to win the title.”

Ledley still backs Celtic for the title

Despite the recent setbacks, Ledley has pointed out that Celtic remain top of the Premiership and believes there is plenty of time for O’Neill’s side to turn things around.

The former midfielder knows from experience that a poor spell does not necessarily define an entire campaign.

Ledley recalled falling 15 points behind Rangers during his Celtic career before the Hoops recovered and eventually moved ahead of their rivals.

“That’s football. There are lots of ups and downs in a single season,” he said.

“I remember being 15 points behind Rangers one season and we fought back to overtake them within a few months. I scored a header against them when we went top and we never looked back.

“I look at Celtic being top of the league and that is a basis to go and kick on after the break.

“Martin also has really good senior pros in his squad, in the likes of Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney and James Forrest. Those guys are key to everything that happens.

“They are the cornerstone of the club and they will be having a chat to everyone and ensure they know what is expected at a club like Celtic.”

Ledley believes Celtic can rediscover the form they showed earlier in the campaign, starting with a positive result against Motherwell.

“I have been watching the games and we all know that the week before the international break was disappointing. But there is still such a long way to go and let’s remember, Celtic are top of the league.

“Hopefully the boys can bounce back with a win against Motherwell after the break and they can pick up the form they showed in the first few weeks of the season.

“That’s what we are used to seeing from Celtic and I am sure they can get that back.”

Ledley enjoys Celtic reunion

Ledley was also back in Glasgow recently, pulling on the famous Hoops once again during the Tennents Sixes.

The former Celtic midfielder admitted it was a special feeling to represent the club again alongside some of his former teammates.

“It’s always magical to pull the Celtic strip back on,” Ledley said.

“It was great to be back and team up with the older players. Celtic is still a club that means so much to me, and it’s always an honour to represent them.

“I still follow the results and I was happy to come up and play the game.”